Deputations/Petitions/Questions
To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
A deputation had been received from Mr Paul Nicolson, representing Tottenham Residents, in relation to item 9 of the Agenda - Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
Mr Nicolson spoke as the representative of Tottenham Residents and firstly welcomed the implementation of the new Council Tax policy, as per item 9 of the Agenda. Mr Nicolson remarked that it was unfortunate this change would not take effect until 2019/2020although he recognised that half of the 6000 families with children claiming working tax benefits would be relieved not to get a Council Tax bill in April 2019. However, many would still have Council Tax arrears from previous years. Additionally, it was queried whether the 4000 working adults claiming benefits would still have to pay Council Tax from 2020.
Mr Nicolson continued to raise the following:
Mr Nicolson advised that in 2013/14, the Council sent out the bailiffs 12,484 times adding to the arrears, (a) £125 court costs a time payable to the Council, and then (b) £75 a time payable to the bailiffs. A total of £200 a time had added to the arrears which added a total of £2.5 million to the cost of Council tax to Haringey Residents. Mr Nicolson referred to the Treasury Select Committee of MPs report “Household finances: income, saving and debt” published on the 26th July which stated that people become over-indebted through arrears on bills, including those owed to central and local government, such as Council Tax. This report advised that public authorities often pursue debts over-zealously, uncompromisingly, and with routine recourse to bailiffs, which risks driving the most financially vulnerable people into further difficulty.
In conclusion Mr Nicolson emphasised the negative ... view the full minutes text for item 50